A's Now Target Matsui

[A.E]

After whiffing on top targets, A’s shift focus to Hideki Matsui
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Oakland left the winter meetings empty handed despite several attempts to make a big splash, which has Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle thinking that the A’s will turn their attention to signing Hideki Matsui.

Matsui’s agent, Arn Tellem, told Slusser that he expects to begin fielding offers over the weekend and indicated that Matsui might be ready to sign as soon as early next week.

Whether or not it’ll be with Oakland is unclear, but Matsui has expressed an interest in remaining on the West Coast following a one-year stint with the Angels and the A’s have been linked to him since missing out on their No. 1 designated hitter target, Lance Berkman.

Matsui signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Angels last winter and hit .274/.361/.459 with 21 homers and 84 RBIs in 145 games as their primary DH.

-HBT

 

[Elite]

Oakland needs to realize that they're not going to win with power. They keep looking to add that big bat but it's just not going to happen. Any power hitter who goes there will end up suffering a great deal in terms of their homerun totals. They need to go after guys like Crawford. The high-average, speedy type who can play good defense. Crawford's gap shots would roll for days in the Coliseum and he'd increase his triple total and probably have an inside-the-parker or two there.

Not to mention Matsui isn't a guy you bring in to add a lot of pop to your lineup anymore. Injuries killed him and he's getting older.

 

[The Guid]

On top of that, OF isn't even a glaring need when it comes to "average" guys like Matsui. Corner infield is a more pressing need and they'd be better off trying to sign Beltre than Matsui.

 

[.GR]

Matsui would play DH. Rather spend the money elsewhere tho.

 

[A.E]

Matsui would play DH. Rather spend the money elsewhere tho.

Yes, outfield is crowded...hence why Raji Davis was shipped to Toronto. Matsui is being eyed to fill the void that is now left by Cust's signing with Seattle.